Cross-linguistic Activation and Self- Perception in L3 English: A Study of Catalan-Spanish Bilinguals

Abstract

This thesis investigates the mechanisms of cross-linguistic influence (CLI) and self-perception in third language (L3) English acquisition among Catalan-Spanish bilinguals.

While traditional models like the Typological Primacy Model (TPM) suggest that the brain selects a "root" language based on similarities in structure, the close proximity between Catalan and Spanish presents a unique challenge in identifying the single source of transfer.

Using the Bilingual Language Profile (BLP) to quantify language dominance, this study explores whether learners’ perceived influence from their background languages aligns with their actual dominance profiles. Furthermore, it examines whether specific linguistic domains (lexical vs. grammatical) exhibit different patterns of perceived activation.

The early results reveal that a learner's actual dominant language and their subjective experience are deeply connected, suggesting that being consciously aware of one’s own language patterns plays a key role in how an L3 is processed.